C.__Information relative to market research or development activities provided to the commissioner prior to formal application, included in grant applications or provided to the commissioner to fulfill reporting requirements is confidential information and may not be publicly disclosed by the commissioner as long as:

(1)__The person to whom the information belongs or pertains has requested that certain information be designated as confidential; and

(2)__The commissioner has determined that the information gives the person making the request opportunity to obtain business or competitive advantage over another person who does not have access to the information or will result in loss of business or other significant detriment to the person making the request if access is provided to others.

4.__Advisory committee.__The commissioner shall establish the Agricultural Development Committee to evaluate market and production development grant applications and review project results.

Sec. 5. 7 MRSA §§307, 308 and 309, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 402, Pt. A, §77, are amended to read:

§307. Special projects

The commissioner may contract directly with the Agricultural Experiment Station or the Maine Cooperative Extension Service University of Maine System for market research, testing new technologies and for research on pressing, short-term technical problems related to the production, marketing, storage and processing of agricultural commodities.

§308. Special revenues

Funds Interest and funds in the Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund, establsihed in Title 10, section 1023-J, contributed by commodity groups, associations or individuals, firms or organizations for special projects or for competitive technology transfer agricultural development projects shall must be deposited in a dedicated account which shall that does not lapse. Commodity groups, associations or individuals